Florida prepares to face LSU's two-quarterback system

Gators hope to rebound from Alabama loss by containing LSU's two quarterbacks

October 8, 2010|By Rachel George, Orlando Sentinel

GAINESVILLE — Already this year, Florida has seen quarterbacks like the two it will face against No. 12 LSU on Saturday. Yes, two.

The Tigers (5-0, 3-0 SEC) moved to a two-quarterback system last week and will keep it in place when they face No. 14 Florida in The Swamp.

Jordan Jefferson, who will start, is the runner, capable of scrambling like USF's B.J. Daniels. Jarrett Lee is the passer, more comfortable in the pocket, similar to Tennessee's Matt Simms and Kentucky's Mike Hartline in that respect.

Preparing for both is the challenge in keeping the Tigers' struggling offense from flourishing.

"That's complicated on defense," said coach Urban Meyer. "The biggest thing is practice time. Obviously, you can stop a running quarterback and you can stop a throwing quarterback. It happens every week. … That's causing a lot of reflection on how much you have in each package because obviously you can't practice everything."

LSU split time between both QBs starting last week against Tennessee, a 16-14 win for the Tigers salvaged by a Vols penalty on the final play of the game.

The Tigers' offense had been struggling since the second half of the season opener against North Carolina before Jefferson and Lee put up a season's-best 494 yards.

Despite the output, the LSU offense continues to rank among the worst in the SEC. The Tigers are 11th in scoring offense (24.4 points per game) and total offense (326.6 yards per game) and rank last in the SEC in pass offense (131.0 yards per game).

LSU's quarterbacks could be the key. Jefferson had 100 yards rushing against Tennessee, which included an 83-yard touchdown run on the first play of the game.

Lee engineered the Tigers' 68-yard drive to get in scoring position late against Tennessee, but the redshirt junior has a history of throwing to the wrong team. In his first season, he threw 16 interceptions and seven were returned for touchdowns.

"They have great speed," said LSU coach Les Miles. "You obviously have to know where you're throwing the football. It's a place where you have to be careful."

Intercepting the Tigers could be key for the Florida (4-1, 2-1) defense. The Gators lead the country in interceptions with 12 but had none last week in their 31-6 loss to Alabama.

Of help to the Gators against Jefferson and Lee are their own quarterbacks. Florida starter John Brantley is a pure pocket passer, and freshman Trey Burton has come in at times to run the ball.

"With Jefferson, he's really athletic, can run and he can break us down and make some plays that aren't there," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "Consequently, you have to make sure when you rush him, you keep him corraled.

"Whereas Lee is more of a classic dropback passer, has good arm strength, has pretty good accuracy," he added.